Topeka ? Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson is preparing to endorse a Democratic state senator running for governor this fall.

Parkinson plans to attend a Statehouse rally on Thursday to endorse Sen. Tom Holland of Baldwin City.

Holland is the lone Democrat in the race. State Sen. Kelly Kultala, a Democrat from Kansas City, is Holland’s running mate.

Parkinson has chosen not to run for a full term as governor.

U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback is the leading Republican candidate for governor. His running mate is state Sen. Jeff Colyer of Overland Park.

Also on the GOP ballot is Joan Heffington of Derby, a former home builder and founder of a nonprofit legal organization. Her running mate is Mark Holick, pastor of the Spirit One Christian Center in Wichita.